Veterinary public health perspectives: trend assessment and recommendations

In a world of increasing populations, new patterns of land use and new biotechnologies, the orientation towards population veterinary medicine within the health triad of environment, animals and people will be of growing importance. This orientation should be accompanied by a dramatic expansion of veterinary public health (VPH) practices and considerable modification of veterinary training, with emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches under multifocal leadership. A high level of specialisation and, at the same time, integration into the major goals of the health triad will be important factors. The management of integration will also influence the coherence of the veterinary profession in research and education. Major issues in VPH concern new biotechnologies, urbanisation (particularly in developing countries), the control of "hidden infections" entering the food chain, new agricultural practices and ethical questions associated with these developments.